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International Copyrighted (in England, her Col- 
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No. 427 



Converting Mrs. Noshuns 



BY 



ELIZA MORGAN SWIFT 

Girl Scout Commissioner of Colorado Springs 

and a Vice-President of the National 

Organization 



Copyright, 1922, by Samuel French 

A^nqfenrs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. All other rights reserved. 



Price 30 Cents 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



-iiiiiiiiiiiinHifiiHiiiiiiiiiiirMiiiiiiiiiiiiriiMiiniiiMiiii iiiii 1111111111111 iMiiiiniMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiuMiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiif? 



THE REJUVENATION OF AUNT MARY. 

The famous comedy in three acts, by Anne Warner. 7 males, 6 
females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2li hours. 

This is a genuinely funny comedy with splendid parts for "Aunt 
Mary," "Jack," her lively nephew; "Lucinda," a New England an- 
cient maid of all work; "Jack's" three chums; the Girl "Jack" loves; 
'».'Joshua," Aunt Mary's hired man, etc. 

"Aunt Mary" was played by May Robson in New York and on tour 
for over two years, and it is sure to be a big success wherever pro- 
duced. We Strongly recommend it. Price, 60 Cents. 



MRS. BUMSTEAD-LEIGH. 

A pleasing- comedy, in three acts, by Harry James Smith, author of 
"The Tailor-Made Man." 6 males, 6 females. One interior scene. 
Costumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours. 

Mr. Smith .chose for his initial comedy the complications arising 
from the endeavors of a social climber to land herself in the altitude 
peopled by hyphenated names — a theme permitting innumerable com- 
plications, according to the spirit of the writer. 

This most successful comedy was toured for several seasons by Mrs. 
Fiske with enormous success. Price, 60 Cents. 



MRS. TEMPLE'S TELEGRAM. 

A most successful farce in three acts, by Frank Wyatt and Wil- 
liam Morris. 5 males, 4 females. One interior scene stands through- 
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"Mrs. Temple's Telegram" is a sprightly farce in which there is 
an abundance of fun without any taint of impropriety or any ele- 
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tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." 

There is not a dull moment in the entire farce, and from the time 
the curtain rises until it makes ^e final drop the fun is fast and 
furious. A very exceptional farce. Price, 60 Cents. 



THE NEW CO-ED. 

A comedy in four acts, by Marie Doran, author of "Tempest and 
Sunshine," etc. Characters, 4 males, 7 females, though any number 
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rior scene. Costumes modern. Time, about 2 hours. 

The theme of this play is the coming of a new student to the col- 
lege, her reception by the scholars, her trials and final triumph. 

There are three especially good girls' parts, Letty, Madge and 
Estelle, but the others have plenty to do. "Punch" Doolittle and 
George Washington Watts, a gentleman of color, are two particularly 
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(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street. New York City 

New and Explicit Oescriprlve Catalogue Mailed Free on Requsal 



Converting Mrs. Noshuns 



By 
ELIZA MORGAN SWIFT 

Girl Scout Commissioner of Colorado Springs 

AND A Vice-President of the National 

Organization 



Copyright, 10:32, by Samuel French 

Amateurs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. All other rights reserved. 



New York 

SAMUEL FRENCH 

Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 



London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

2G Southampton Street 

STRAND 



^5353 7 



'CI.0 (il991 



SEP 23 '22 



'^'xc, 



Note. — Converting Mrs. Noshuns is a play which 
can be given much local color and interest by chang- 
ing the names of people and places to those ■well 
knozvn in the locality zvhere it is presented. The 
names of tJic trails and streams apply zvell enough 
to any camping country and it will perhaps be sim- 
pler to retain them. But Ziehen the play is given in 
the East the ranches referred to in Acts I and II 
should be spoken of as farms. It also facilitates 
the production to use the real names of the Scouts 
zvho take part, except, of course, the four principal 
characters who carry the story — Mrs. Noshuns, 
her tzvo daughters, and Miss De Kay. All the others 
have short lines and it saz'cs much confusion in re- 
hearsals if the girls' first names are used.. Any 
group activities can be substituted for the drills and 
dances used in Act I if they give an attractive effect. 

CAST OF PROLOGUE 

Scene in Mrs. Noshuns' parlor on a Friday after- 
noon in July. 

Mrs. Noshuns. 

Sadie Noshuns, Mrs. Noshuns' thirteen-year-old 
daughter. 

Clara Noshuns, Mrs. Noshuns' seven-year-old 
daughter. 

A Girl Scout Director. 

A Girl Scout. 

3 



4 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

CAST OF ACT I 

Scene in a Girl Scout mountain camp, the following 
zveck at eight o'clock in the morning. 

Camp Director. 

Two Flag Raisers. 

Scouts zvho receive the orders of the day for — Violet 
troop, Narcissus troop, Jonquil troop, Colum- 
bine troop, Forget-Me~not troop. Poppy troop, 
Flag troop, Goldenrod troop. Holly troop. 

Fishing Girls, Wood Gatherers, Blanket Girls, Water 
Cress Gatherers, Merit Badge Scouts, Painters, 
Modellers, Cabinet Workers, Nature Students, 
Clerk, Gardeners. 

Scouts taking part in — Folk Dance, Wand Drill, 
Military Drill. 

Semaphore Scouts. 

Rae and Margaret. 

CAST OF ACT II 

Scene same as Act I , dropping of the curtain indi- 
cates the passing of one hour. 
Four Stretcher Bearers. 
Candidate for Golden Eaglet. 
Her Patrol Leader. 
Scout Commissioner. 
Wild Rose Troop Glee Club, 
Ukelele Orchestra, 



PROLOGUE 

AIrs. Noshuns' parlor. Mrs. N. is tying a large 
bozv of ribbon on Clara's hair. SJic is a very 
much over-dressed person and her gown is too 
tight and too short. Clara is a szveet little girl 
of seven, but uncomfortably clean and dressed 
up. A piano can be heard in another room on 
which someone is laboriously playing five- 
finger exercises. 

Mrs. N. There, Clara ; that will do — and when 
you hear the bell you can run and let the ladies in. 
Just sa}' it's the maid's day out. 

Clara. What maid, Mother? 

Mrs. N. Don't ask stupid questions, and do go 
tell Sadie that she needn't practice those dreadful 
exercises all afternoon ; tell her to play "The An- 
gel's Serenade," or some new piece like that. There, 
run along. 

Clara. (Runs off, calling) Sadie ! Sadie ! 

Sadie. (Running in. She is a nice clumsy girl, 
with very high-heeled fancy boots, very thin waist 
and miicJi curled hair, quite out of keeping zvitJi her 
thirteen years.) Mother, is it true that Miss De 
Kay is coming to-day about the Girl Scouts? 

Mrs. N. Miss De Kay is coming to see me, and 
it may be about the Girl Scouts. 

Sadie. (Delighted) Are you going to let me 
join? 



6 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

Mrs. N. (Severely) Cettainly not. I had to let 
Miss De Kay come, but I shall just tell her what 
nonsense I think it is. 

Saddie. (Bitterly disappointed) Oh, Mother ! 

Mrs. N. (With 'dignity) Yes, Sadie, I think it's 
high time some one should put their foot down on 
these new-fangled ideas. 

Sadie. But, Mother, Miss De Kay is a lady ; a 
real lady. You couldn't be rude to her, could you? 

Mrs. N. (Impatiently) I guess I know who Miss 
De Kay is and how to treat her without your telling 
me. I can't imagine what's gotten into you lately, 
Sadie Noshuns ; you're all the time setting yourself 
up to know more than your mother. But let me 
just tell you that I mean to bring you up as I think 
best, and I'll not have any interference from Miss 
De Kay or any one else. 

Sadie. (Almost crying) Oh, you don't under- 
stand. Miss De Kay isn't a bit like that. She's 
perfectly sweet, and so are all the scouts. 

Mrs. N. (Severely) Sadie, stop that whining! 
And go back to your practicing; I won't have you 
arguing with me. (Bell rings.) 

Sadie. (Hastily iviping her eyes) There's the 
bell. Can't I stay? I promise not to say a word. 

Mrs. N. (Hurrying her off) Certainly not! Go 
at once. Why, your dress isn't even clean. 

Sadie. (Sadly, half to herself) Miss De Kay 
wouldn't mind. (She goes to the door and stops.) 
Oh, Mother, please think it over. (Mrs. N. makes 
an impatient gesture for her to hurry and sJie goes 
out.) 

Mrs. N. (Settles herself and picks up a hook 
from the table and begins reading it upside down.) 

Clara. (Bringing in the ladies with a good deal 
of excitement) There they are, Mamma. 

Mrs. N. (Looks up inquiringly as though inter- 
rupted in the middle of a paragraph) Ah! Yes? 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 7 

(Then rising and in her best social manner) This 
is Miss De Kay, I suppose. 

Miss De K. (An attractive young society girl 
very simply and smartly dressed comes forzvard and 
shakes hands) How do you do, Mrs. Noshuns ; it 
was very kind of you to see me. (Turning to Alice) 
This is Alice Lon^^, one of my Scouts, and a friend 
of Sadie's. 

Alice. (An attractive girl of thirteen or four- 
teen in a z'ery neat Girl Scout uniform, steps for- 
zvard pleasantly to shake hands, but Mrs. Noshuns 
looks disapprovingly at the iiniforni and merely 
nods.) 

Mrs. N. How do you do? 

Alice. (Quite taken aback at Mrs. N.'s manner, 
says very shyly) How do you do? 

Miss De K. (Anxious to relieve her embarrass- 
ment) We had hoped to find Sadie here. 

Mrs. N. Sadie is practicing, and I never allow 
anything to interfere with her music. (Strains of 
the ''Angel's Serenade'' violently pounded out of a 
piano are heard accompanying the rest of the con- 
versation.) 

Miss De K. Oh, I'm sorry. (Turning to 
AliceJ Then I think perhaps you had better wait 
for me in the motor. 

Alice. Very well, Miss De Kay. (She turns to 
go and little Clara, zvho has been standing at one 
side zvatching Alice admiringly ever since ushering 
the guests in, runs and takes her hand.) 

Clara. Please, may I come with you? 

Alice. Yes, come along. (They go out together.) 

Miss De K. Is Sadie very fond of music? 

Mrs. N. Not very; but I keep after her about it. 
(Then very affectedly) I think a mother can't be 
too particular about these things. It means so much 
to a voung girl to be proficient in the arts. 

Miss De K. (A little puzded) Yes, indeed, Mrs. 



<S CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

Noshims. (Then more 'enthusiastically) We try 
to keep that idea before the Scouts', you know, and 
any natural talent they have is encouraged. I sup- 
pose Sadie has told you how anxious we are to have 
her join. 

Mrs. N. Sadie has said something about it ; but 
I haven't cared to discuss it with her. 

Miss De K. Oh, I hope you are not opposed to 
the idea? 

Mrs. N. (With an attempt at graciousness) I'm 
afraid I am, Miss De Kay. To tell the truth, I can't 
see what gopd Sadie could get out of it. 

Miss De K. (Enthusiastieally) Oh, there's every 
kind of good, Mrs. Noshuns. The girls get so much 
help in every way. It encourages and teaches them 
to l3e really useful and industrious at home, and to 
do better work in school, and to be of real value in 
the community. (Warming to her subject) Why, 
there's hardly a phase of a girl's life that isn't 
broadened and strengthened by contact with the Girl 
Scout movement. 

Mrs. N. (Unimpressed) Really? 

Miss De K. Yes, indeed. You have no idea 
what it does for them. It helps them in every way, 
in mind and body, and character. And then think 
of the opportunity for a girl to be thrown with all 
those other girls, and to get their ideas and 

Mrs. N. (Interrupting) That's my principal ob- 
jection ; I shouldn't care at all to have Sadie going 
with such a mixed crowd. 

Miss De K. (Taken back) But they are all nice 
girls, Mrs. Noshuns. 

Mrs. N. (With great superiority) It depends 
what you call nice, ]\Iiss De Kay. Why, only this 
morning the man who takes care of our furnace 
told me with great pride his daughter was a mem- 
ber. 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS ' 9 

Miss De K. (Smiling) Really ! What was his 
name? 

Mrs. N. Barber — James Barber. 

Miss De K. Oh. yes, of course : that must be 
Helen Barber's father. Why, she's a perfectly 
splendid girl, Mrs. Noshuns. She has earned enough 
money to support herself while she is in High 
School — and she helps her family in every possible 
way besides. Yes, indeed, she is one of our best 
scouts. 

Mrs. N. (Getting quite excited) I don't see how 
you young ladies can lend yourselves to such things. 
Why, you don't seem to pay any attention at all to 
who's who any more. You just associate with any- 
body. 

Miss De K. (Gently and trying to make Jier un- 
derstand) But don't you think these things have 
been changed by the war ? Everyone has new 
standards. Perhaps we don't pay so much attention 
to people just because they have money and social 
position as we used to — but we care a lot more about 
character, and ability, and whether people are making 
good in the worth-while things — the things that are 
really going to help in the world to-day. 

Mrs. N. I don't see what the Girl Scouts have 
to do with it. 

Miss De K. Why, everything. Here's a society 
that gives every girl in the United States the oppor- 
tunity to show what she's worth, what she's good 
for. It doesn't matter what her opportunities have 
been, if she's got the right stuff in her, she's bound 
to prove it, and to have it recognized. And every- 
thing is done to help her and to develop the best 
that is in her. Why, it's the most perfectly demo- 
cratic organization 

Mrs. N. (Interrupting impatiently ) That's just 
what I don't believe in, all this democratic business. 
I want my girls to grow up to be perfect ladies. 



lo CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

Miss De K. But that is just what all the scouts 
try to be. 

Mrs. N. Well, it's not my idea of perfect ladies, 
running around with anybody's children and wear- 
ing uniforms, and doing mannish things out of 
doors — I'm sure I wouldn't have been the lady I am 
if I'd been brought up so. 

Miss De K. (Disappointedly) I'm afraid you 
haven't quite understood the spirit of it. 

Mrs. N. (With asperity) I'm afraid I haven't, 
but I guess I'm not smart enough to catch on to all 
these new spirits I hear talked about. I used to 
hear a lot about the Spirit of the War, and now 
there's the Spirit of the Times and the Spirit of 
Democracy, and here you're talking about the Spirit 
of the Scouts. A lot of nonsense. I call it. 

Miss De K. Oh, please don't say that ! I'm sure 
you don't mean it. Why, I often see you at the Co- 
operative work rooms. 

Mrs. N. That's quite a different matter. There's 
a lot of real swell women on the board, and I'm most 
particular who I sit next to. 

Miss De K. (Trying not to smile) Really, Mrs. 
Noshuns ? 

Mrs. N. I certainly am. Oh, I see — (name of 
some zvell-known local woman) — going round talk- 
ing to everybody, like they were real friends. But, 
of course, I know she'd much rather sit down to a 
nice visit with folks of her own sort like you and 
me. 

Miss De K. (Laughing) I'm not so sure of 
that. But please let me tell you a little more about 
the practical side of our Scout life. There's a great 
deal of physical benefit for the girls, you know — 
and next week we are all going to the Summer Camp 
— where the girls can have such a happy, healthy, 
useful vacation. 

Mrs. N. Oh, I believe in getting near to Nature. 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS ii 

I take the girls picnicking a k)t in these warm months. 
But I don't want them roughing it, getting their 
hands all scratched up and paying no attention to 
their clothes or their complexions. What's the use 
of me paying out good money for a manicure and 
hair dresser for Sadie and then have her run wild 
in the woods? No. Miss De Kay; I'm afraid I look 
at these things very differently from what you do. 

Miss De K. (Sadly) I'm afraid you do — and 
I'm so sorry, for the girls are all so fond of Sadie 
and they will be very disaj)]:)ointed. (She rises.) 
And they tell me Sadie was very anxious to come 
to the Camp, I'm afraid she'll be disappointed, ton. 

Mrs. N. (JVitJi great dignify) I hope Sadie will 
have sufficient respect for her mother's opinion not 
to want anything I don't want her to have. 

Miss De K. Indeed, I hope so. (She holds out 
Jier hand.) Good-bye, Mrs. Noshuns. If you ever 
change your mind, you will let me know, won't you ? 

Mrs. N. (Assuming Jier best social manner again) 
Yes, indeed, Miss De Kay — and I do hope you will 
call again soon. I'm always at home on Thursdays. 

Miss De K. Thank you. Good-bye. 

Mrs. N. Good-bye. ("Miss De Kay goes out.) 

Sadie. (Rushing in) Have they gone? (Looks 
at her mother s face.) Did you say "No," Mother? 

Mrs. N. I did. 

Sadie. (Throiving herself onto a chair and burst- 
ing into tears) Oh. Mother, Mother! I don't see 
how you can be so cruel ! 

Mrs. N. (Stands looking at her) Sadie, you are 
a very ungrateful girl. 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Scene I 

Morning assembly in Camp. Before the eurtain 
rises, all sing, ''Three Cheers for the Red, White 
and Blue/' Curtain rises and all stand at full 
salute while the tzvo Flag Raisers raise the Flag. 
All give the oath of allegiance to if. Orders 
of the day folloiv^ given by Miss De Kay. 

ORDERS OF THE DAY 

]\Iiss De K. fin uniform ) This afternoon, in- 
stead of the usual hour for sports, immediately fol- 
lowing" the rest hour, all scouts will assemhle here. 

Miss (the commissioner) will come down to 

award the Golden Ea,^let to Scout and to 

give out merit hadges. Troops should assemhle here 
at 4:30. All girls working for merit badges will 
wait for a few minutes after this meeting for their 
specific orders. Troops will report for morning 
exercise as follows : Jonquil troop will meet for 
military drill by the big oak in the hollow, imme- 
diately, and receive further orders for the day 
there. 

Violet troop will report to Miss Duncan for as- 
signment to the kitchen and mess-tent duties for 
the day. 

Forget-Me-Not and Kinnikinnik troops report to 
Mrs. Nelson for their classiin First- Aid at 9 o'clock, 
at Assembly tent. 

12 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 13 

Narcissus and Red Llovcr troops report to Miss 
Kissel at 9:30 for signalling- at the top of Look 
Out Rock. 

Poppy and Oak troops report here at 9:45 for 
practice of your wand drill. 

Golden Rod troops will report here at 10:30 for 
gymnastic work. 

Holly troop will report here at 11 :i5 for military 
drill. Margaret and Maco, take your rods and fish 
in the creek below Beaver Dam, hut stay within 
the two-mile mark. 

Luella and Dorothy will gather firewood for the 
camp. Take hatchets and be sure to bring in only 
dry wood. Margaret and Ruth, go above Beaver 
Dam and gather water-cress for luncheon. 

Now for the Merit Badge Scouts. You four girls 
who are working for the Artist Merit Badge, bring 
your work here. (Exit the four girls.) 

The scouts working for the Bird and Flower study 
merit, get glasses and cameras and report to me 
here for further information. (Exit six girls.) 

Beatrice, you must go on with the reports for Miss 
(the commissioner), which will almost com- 
plete yolir work for the Clerk Merit Badge. (Bea- 
trice goes to work at typewriter.) 

Garden girls, please get your tools and report to 
Mrs. Wright for your morning's work. (They exit.) 

(Orders over, and stage clear, except for the zvork- 
ing scouts. Miss De'K. stops to speak with 
Beatrice about her reports and then for a sec- 
ond steps over and criticizes the artists' work. 
Then with a hnrried glance at her watch, she 
notes that it is time for she folk dancing and 
hlozvs the zMstle one long blast for them to 
come in, 

(The Garden Girls meander across the stage just 
before the whistle blozvs and after the whistle 



T4 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

blast the Folk Dancers skip in, in a long chain. 

(Folk dancing — the girls are dressed in middies and 
bloomers. 

(Just as they are finishing Mrs. Noshuns enters at 
the right*back entrance, and the second Miss 
De Kay sees her she bloivs her zvJiistle once 
and the scouts fall back in a semicircle, giving 
Miss De Kay their best attention. 

(Mrs. Noshuns and her two girls move doivn to- 
zvards the front. They are heavily laden with 
rugs, baskets, etc. They stop, surprised, as the 
troop falls back. Miss De Kay advances to- 
zvards her.) 

Miss De K. (As she shakes hands) Why, Mrs. 
Noshuns, this is a great surprise. 

Mrs. N. I'rrt just as much surprised as you are, 
Miss De Kay. I didn't know that you were camp- 
ing here. 

Miss De K. We've been here for almost a fort- 
night — won't you and the girls stay and watch the 
drilling? 

Mrs. N. Oh, no, thank you ; we are just going a 
little ways for a picnic. I left the motor at the 
ranch house back there. But I'm afraid I've gotten 
oi¥ the path. It's a long time since I've been up 
here. (Rather crossly to Sadiej I thought it was 
funny of Sadie to insist on coming so far to-day. 

Sadie. I didn't know the camp was here ; truly 
I didn't, Mother. 

Mrs. N. Well, you made a pretty good guess at 
it. Pick up that coat, Sadie ; it's all on the ground. 

Miss De K. We can put you on the trail, if you 
want to go up the creek. (Turns to the girls.) 
Dorothy, you and Caroline and Katharine help Mrs. 
Noshuns with her things and show her the Beaver 
Dam trail. (The three girls take Mrs. N.'s bundles 
and wait back of her.) 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 13 

Mrs. N. (Who has been lookimf disappyoviniilx 
at the bloomers) You don't want thcni to go awav 
from camp like that, do you? 

Miss De K. (Laughing) Oh, these are the hest 
kind of clothes for the mountains, Mrs. Noshuns. 
And they won't meet anyone. 

Mrs. N. (Disapprovingly) Come on, Sadie and 
Clara. (Turning to Miss De Kayj I suppose 
there's no way back excepting through the camp. 

Miss De K. I'm afraid not, at least none that 
would be easy for you to find alone. But if you 
would like it better, I can send a scout out to show 
you a trail about a mile above here, when you are 
ready to go back. But it's pretty rough walking. 

Mrs. N. (Looking at her thin boots) No, never 
mind, thank you. I guess we can come back this 
way, if it's shorter. (They start off, led by the three 
scouts.) 

Mrs. N. (Turning back just as she is leaving, to 
Miss De K.) There aren't any snakes there, are 
there ? 

Miss De K. (Who cannot resist the temptation 
to tease a little) Not any really dangerous snakes, 
Mrs. Noshuns ; you may see a few garters and black 
snakes, but they won't hurt you. 

Mrs. N. (Shivering) Ugh ! How horrid ! (She 
hesitates, then goes out.) 

Miss De K. (To the troop) Troop dismissed. 

(Just as these girls go off the stage, the girls carry- 
ing blankets come out of the tent. They carry 
their loads of blankets off the stage. Two blasts 
from the whistle and the girls with wands march 
■ in. They are led by their instructor and go 
through their drill. When dismissed they run 
off in all directions, some loiter along. As they 
go off six scouts with cameras and glasses and 



t6 converting MRS. NOSHUNS 

notebooks come in, part entering from the right 
and others from the hack.) 

Miss De K. Girls, you can go as far west as the 
High road, and north to Dickerman's Ranch. Keep 
above the Dam and below the old bridge. Have 
you your compasses? 

Margaret. Yes, Miss De Kay, and we are tak- 
ing sandwiches with us. 

Miss De Kay. Very well. Be back in time for 
the ceremony. 

Margaret. Yes, indeed. (They run off left and 
Miss De Kay blows three blasts for the Golden Rod 
Gymnastic, dance. Enter back. This drill com- 
pleted, the girls exit back. Miss De Kay blows 
four blasts, and the commands for the military drill 
follozv. Enter left to right. Exit right to left.) 

Mrs. N. (Just as the line is three-quarters off, 
enters right back, hatless and quite disheveled, call- 
ing) Miss De Kay! Miss De Kay! 

Miss De K. (Galls out) Troops dismissed! 
(Turns to Mrs. N.J What has happened ? 

Mrs. N. Oh, I don't know ; but I can't find the 
girls anywhere. They went down to the creek and 
I said I'd call them when lunch was ready. And I 
called and called and they didn't answer. I've 
climbed up and down that dreadful place, but they 
are not there, anywhere. This is all there was — 
(holding out a book). 

AIiss De K. (Reading the title) "The Roman- 
tic Adventures of Evelyn Bird." That doesn't tell 
us very much, does it ? 

Mrs, N. It tells me enough. Sadie is always 
poring over a book instead of looking out for Clara, 
and that's probably just what's happened. 

Miss De K. Oh, I see, and Clara strayed away 
and Sadie has gone to find her — well, they can't 
have gotten very far. 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 17 

^ Mrs. N. (About to cry) Oh, I suppose not ; but 
I'm afraid they have fallen into the creek, or met a 
wild beast, or — or something. 

Miss De K. Why, Mrs. Noshuns— there are no 
wild beasts near here, and the creek isn't deep enough 
for them to fall in. Now don't be upset. (Mrs. 
N. breaks down completely.) We'll send out the 
girls and they'll find them in no time. They can't 
have had more than an hour's start. 

Mrs. N. (Sitting down pathetically) I leave 
everything in your hands. 

Miss De K. (To Bugler) Get your bugle and 
sound the assembly. Mary, see if you can reach 
any of the girls with the semaphore flags. Run 
over to the kitchen, Norma, and tell the cook the 
girls will want a bite to eat before they start and to 
serve anything she has ready, and look in at the 
dining tent and tell the grils they're to have a lot of 
bread and butter ready right away. (The model 
girls leave their zvork and join the group. The 
bugle is heard outside. The signal girl, Mary^ is 
at the back signalling to some one.) 

Mary. Oh, Miss De Kay, I've got Mary and Jo. 
They are over at the edge of the pine road. 

Miss De K. Tell them to come back down the 
creek and to look for Sadie and Clara. 

(Mary signals. The troops come hurrying in. As 
soon as they are assembled, Miss De Kay ad- 
dresses them.) 

Miss De K. Girls, Sadie and Clara Noshuns 
liave strayed off somewhere above Pine Tree Point, 
on the Beaver Dam trail. You will all want to 
search for them, I know. 

Girls. Oh, yes, yes ! 

Miss De K. Emma, tell Golden Rod troop to fol- 
low the line of the old timber road west. 



i8 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

Holly troop, you can go down the creek as far 
as the dam. Oak troop can go across the creek 
and take the first trail to White rock and then turn 
north toward the Harding ranch. 

Girls, you all know your own section of the coun- 
try. I want each troop to cover its own ground 
and search, (To DorothyJ Dorothy, you know 
just where Mrs. Noshuns was picnicing. Take all 
the scouts there and let them start their search from 
there. 

Rae and Margaret, I want you to stay in camp in 
case anything is needed here. Now, girls, ofif with 
you and stop at the mess-tent and get what you can 
eat before vou start. (The girls all go out.) 

Rae. (to Miss De Kay) What shall we do? 

Miss De K. You can run over and tell cook that 
Mrs. Noshuns will have lunch with me, and since 
we are all alone, perhaps you girls will bring it to 
us here. 

Rae. Oh, we'd love to. (They run out.) 

Mrs. N. Oh, I couldn't eat a thing. 

Miss De K. You must try, Mrs. Noshuns ; you'll 
feel a lot better for it, and it may be several hours 
before the girls get back. 

Mrs. N. Several hours ! Oh, what do you 
mean ? 

Miss De K. Well, you see, Sadie and Clara may 
have been gone some time before you began to search 
for them, and my idea is that they have lost their 
way. And they are probably hurrying as fast as 
they can in the wrong direction. 

Mrs. N. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! My poor chil- 
dren ! How can they ever be found ? 

Miss De K. The scouts will catch up with them, 
never fear. They know every foot of this country, 
and they'll make good time. Only you mustn't be 
anxious if it takes a little while. 

Mrs. N. Oh, I hope you're right, but it just 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 19 

shows how unfitted girls are for going about hke 
this. I ought never to have brought Sadie and Clara 
so far from town. 

Rae. (Coming on stage) Here is your lunch. 
Miss De Kay. (Rae and Margaret bring small 
table on stage and serve lunch.) 

Mrs. N. Oh, I could not possibly eat anything. 

Miss De K. (To Mrs N.; Do try. You really 
ought to. 

Mrs. N. (Brightening up) Well, I suppose I 
must keep up my strength for the sake of the chil- 
dren. I am not the least hungry, but I do feel faint. 
(Starts fanning. Then Margaret takes the fan and 
continues. Mrs. N. eats greedily, protesting all the 
Zi'hile.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Scene II 

Mrs. Noshuns is alone at the front of the stage. 
She is stretcJied out in a big camp chair and in 
her hand Jiolds a Girl Scout Manual. She is 
dozing, but zvakens suddenly and looks around, 
afraid slie has been seen. She begins to read. 
Mary and Hilda are at the back of stage col- 
lecting the pictures, modeling, etc. They come 
forivard ivith the things in their hands. 

Mary. We were afraid you were asleep, Mrs. 
Noshuns, and we didn't want to disturb you. 

Mrs. N. How could I sleep, my dear, when I am 
so worried about Sadie and Clara — has nothing been 
heard yet ? 

Mary. Not yet, but Miss De Kay thinks they will 
surely be back in a little while now. 

Hilda. She sent us to see if there was anything 
we could do for you ? 

Mary. She thought you might be interested to 
see the merit girls' work — we're just going to put 
it away. 

Mrs. N. I don't mind your showing it to me. 
Anything that will help me not to think. 

(The girls bring the pictures, etc., and shozv her. 
They hold them so that they can be seen by the 
audience.) 

20 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 21 

Mary. These girls are all working for the artist 
badge, you know. 

Mrs. N. (Interested, in spite of herself, looking 
at a picture) Why. that's very good. You say one 
of the girls did that ? 

Hilda. And look at this modelling, isn't this 
splendid? 

Miss De K. (Coming on stage) What do you 
think of our artists, Mrs. Noshuns? Not so bad 
for young girls, is it? 

Mrs. N. I think they are very good indeed; of 
course, these girls have had lessons ? 

Miss De K. Yes, they have all studied in school. 
All we can do is to try to encourage them to work 
at it, and to develop as much originality as possible 
— and, of course, the competition and the badges 
help to keep up their interest. (To the girls) You 
can put all these things to one side, girls, so that 
they will be ready when Miss Carrick comes. (The 
girls go to back of stage and clear the easels, etc.) 

Mrs. N. (To Miss De Kayj What am I to do 
about the girls? It's getting very late, and I am so 
worried. 

Miss De K. I'm sure we'll hear from them any 
moment. Here come some of the scouts now. 

(The Bird and Wild Floiver girls' come in.) 

First Girl. Oh, Miss De Kay, what has hap- 
pened ? 

Miss De K. How do you mean, happened ? What 
have you heard ? 

Mrs. N. (Excitedly) Have the girls been found? 
Are they hurt? Oh, tell me. I can bear the worst. 

First Girl. (Beivildered) ) I'm afraid I don't 
know much.. but as we came along the trail above 
the little falls, we found these twigs. (She carries 
a few tzvigs in her hand and kneels down and quickly 



22 CONVERTING MRS, NOSHUNS 

arranges them on the ground.) You see here were 
three twigs, so, that means, "Don't follow this trail." 
And these, so, mean, "We have gone this way." And 
then here was the sign for "Trouble." But there 
seemed to be such a lot of girls out that we thought 
we had better come back to camp and report. 

Miss De K. Quite right. The girls are all out 
looking for Sadie and Clara Noshuns, but we hope 
they have found them surely by now. I suppose 
they left the signs so that any of the other patrols 
who came that way wouldn't cover the ground they 
had just been over. The "trouble" probably means 
that they hadn't found the girls yet, but that may 
have been some time ago. Did you girls have a 
successful morning? 

Second Girl. Oh, splendid. Miss De Kay. There 
were a lot of new birds in the pine woods. We saw 
six varieties we didn't have before. 

Third Girl. And just look at all the wild flowers 

we found. Here are (She names flozvers. She 

shozvs a Jiandfiil of flozvers.) 

(Mary Jias gone to the hack of stage and is looking 
off zvith semaphore in her Jiand.) 

Mrs. N. How can you talk about birds and 
flowers when my girls are still lost? 

First Girl. But, Mrs. Noshuns. they can't be 
really lost, you know, not right around here — they 
are just — just — misplaced. 

Second Girl. We all of us used to get lost 
that way when we first came to camp, and before we 
learned how to find our way about. Didn't we. 
Miss De Kay ? 

Mrs. N. But Sadie and Clara know nothing about 
the trails, and suppose they weren't found before 
dark ? 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 23 

Mary. (Who is signalling violently at hack) 
They're found ! They're found ! 

Mrs. N. Where? Where? 

Miss De K. (Watching Mary's flag and re- 
straining Mrs. NoshunsJ Wait a minute and Mary 
will tell us. 

Mary. (Stops signalling and is ivatching in- 
tently. She turns and interprets.) They are both 
found and are on their way back. Clara fell amon^ 
some rocks and is a little hurt and they are carrying 
her in. But it's nothing serious. Sadie is all right. 
(She turns and waves an ansiver.) They're only a 
little way off. They'll be here any moment. 

Mrs. N. Oh, my poor little Clara — I must go and 
meet her. Which way will they come? (She looks 
around uncertainly.) 

Miss De K. (Restraining her) I think you had 
better wait here. Mrs. Noshuns ; there are two or 
three trails which they might take, and if Clara is 
even a little hurt it is better to let them bring her 
in as quickly as possible. (To the girls) Julia, you 
run over and tell cook to have some water boiling, 
and — (To another) — you — (Name) — go to my tent 
and bring me my First Aid kit. (Girls run off.) 

Mrs. N. Oh, Miss De Kay, you don't think she 
is really injured, do you? 

Miss De K. No, I am sure she isn't ; only we 
may need a bandage or two. Don't be anxious, Mrs. 
Noshuns ; you mustn't let yourself get all worked 
up. 

Mrs. N. (Who has been walking excitedly about) 
It's all very well for you to be so calm. Miss De 
Kay — you don't know what it is to be a mother. 

Miss De K. But I know what it is to have three 
hundred girls to look out for. 

(One of the girls, who has been looking off-stage, 
sJiouts, ''Here they come!'' They all step back 



24 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

as a group of girls conic in carrying a stretcher. 
It is a sort of triumphal entry, for though 
Clara^s head is bandaged she is sitting up and 
looking very cheerful.) 

Mrs. N. (Rushes over to Clara, and the stretch- 
er bearers stand still) Oh, my poor little Clara — 
what has happened? 

Clara. Nothing much, Mamma, dear — only I 
hurt my foot a little, and I've had a fine ride back. 

Mrs. N. And your head? What have you done 
to your head? 

First Bearer. It's only a little cut, Mrs. Nosh- 
uns, but we thought it safer to cover it. 

Clara. (Putting her hand up to her head) Oh. 
yes ; I forgot about this — don't I look like a wounded 
soldier. Mamma? 

(More and more girls have come on stage. Miss 
De Kay has been examining Clara's ankle.) 

Miss De K. It's hardly more than a strain ; but I 
think that it would be just as well to bandage it so 
she can walk on it safely. 

Two or Three Girls. Oh, please, may I ? 

(Miss De Kay chooses one among them and the 
ankle is quickly bound up. All watch inter- 
estedly.) 

Mrs. N. But no one has told me yet how it hap- 
pened. (Looking around.) And where is Sadie? 

One Girl. Oh, she'll be here pretty soon, but 
she's all tired out ; she was carrying Clara, you see, 
and walking in those dreadful shoes. 

Another Girl. Sadie was perfectly fine ; she'd 
make a dandy Scout. 

Miss De K. But tell us what haj^pened ? 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 25 

First Ctrl. Well, you see, Clara wandered off 
while Sadie was reading and she came to the fork 
in the brook, you know, and she followed the fork, 
and when it got sluggish — you remember that place? 
— she got all mixed up and couldn't tell which way 
she had come. 

Another Girl. Of course, if she'd thrown a 
stick in she could have told which way it was run- 
ning. 

First Girl. Well, she didn't, and she got fright- 
ened and began to run, and fell among the rocks. 

Another. And Sadie followed the main brook 
at first, and went a long ways, and finally came back 
and found Clara and tried to carry her home. And 
we followed Sadie's trail, and that's what took us so 
long, for she waded the brook and came down on 
the other side, and it put us off the track. But 
here's Sadie now. 

(A group of girls come in; they are carrying the 
picnic basket, zvraps, etc., and Sadie is limping 
in the middle ivith her fancy S'hoes all cut and 
Jicr dress torn.) 

Sadie. (Running over to Mrs. Noshunsj Oh. 
Mother, Fm so sorry ! It was all my fault. (Turn- 
ing to Clara and almost crying.) Is she much hurt ? 

Clara. Fm all right, Sadie; don't cry. 

Girls with Sadie. (To Mrs. Noshunsj Sadie 
tried to carry Clara in on her back, and she must 
have gone a mile or so before we found her. 

Mrs. N. Fm not going to scold you, vSadie ; I 
think you have had punishment enough ; but I have 
been dreadfully anxious. 

Sadie. Fm so sorry — I'll never let Clara wan- 
der off again. 

Miss De K. Fm sure you mean that, Sadie. And 
now I think some of you girls had better take Sadie 



26 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 

and Clara to have something to eat while the others 
make ready for the ceremony. Miss Carrick may be 
here any moment. (To Mrs. Noshunsj Perhaps 
you would like to go with the girls and then I hope 
you will stay and see the ceremony. 

Mrs. N. (Hesitating) Why, I thank you very 
much, but 

Clara. Oh, please, Mamma, let us stay. (Sadie 
comes up and puts her arm around her mother.) 

Mrs. N. Why! Thank you — yes. we'd like to, 
very much. 

All the Girls. Good ! Good ! (They go off.) 

(Tzvo of the big girls make a chair with their hands 
and carry Clara off hetzveen them. 

(Miss De Kay and some of tJie girls remain and 
quickly arrange the stage for invest ure. The 
light grozvs a little dimmer.) 

One Girl. (Coming in) Miss Carrick has come. 
Miss De K. Then sound the assembl3^ 

(The Bugler sounds the call. All girls come hack 
and Mrs. Noshuns, Sadie and Clara come in 
and take their places on one side. When they 
are all in place, Miss Carrick comes in. 

(Miss Carrick greets the girls and then proceeds 
ivith the Golden Eaglet ceremony and the award- 
ing of the Merit Badges. When the ceremony 
is over, Mrs. Noshuns comes forward.) 

Mrs. N. I know you'll think I've changed my 
mind very quickly after all I said to you last week, 
Miss De Kay. But to-day has been a real eye- 
opener to me, so if you'll take Sadie and make a 
scout of her, I'll be most grateful and — and proud. 

Miss De K. Oh, Mrs. Noshuns; do you really 



CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 27 

mean it? This is splendid of you. Oh, I'm so 
glad ! 

Mrs. N. (Still very earnestly) Oh, it isn't any 
credit to me, Miss De Kay. A blind man could 
see the difference between your scouts and my girls 
to-day, and I realize what they get here is something 
I. couldn't give them at home no matter how hard 
I tried. Well, I must go, but I'll never forget your 
kindness and — (With a little break in her voice) — 
after last week, too. 

Girls. Three cheers for Mrs. Noshuns. (They 
cheer.) 

Mrs. N. You know, I'm most scared to drive 
the car home. I'm all of a tremble. 

Miss De Kay. I'm sure we have some one who 
could take you down. (To the girls) Girls, which 
of you can drive a Ford? (All the girls step for- 
ivard eagerly.) 

Miss De'K. (Laughing) What! All of you? 
(To RuTHJ Well, Ruth, I'm sure I can trust you. 
Will you take Mrs. Noshuns home? 

Ruth. I'd be very glad to. 

Mrs. N. It will be awfully kind of you (Hesi- 
tates, looking at Sadie) Sadie, I wish you could 
stay on now. 

Girls. Oh, do let her — please. 

Sadie. (Trying to do her duty) Don't you think 
you'll need me to help with Clara, Another? 

Mrs. N. Oh, I can manage Clara, and I could 
send you up some other clothes this evening. 

Miss De K. We would be very glad to have Sadie 
stay if you feel you could spare her, Mrs. Noshuns. 

Mrs. N. Thank vou so much— I'll be glad to have 
her. (To SadieJ And, Sadie, I hope you'll learn to 
be a real Girl Scout. 

Sadie. Oh, Mother, I'll try! 

First Girl. Come on, Sadie; I know I have a 
uniform that will fit you. 



28 CONVERTING MRS. NOSHUNS 
Mrs. N. Good-bye, then! 

(Two girls pick up Clara and run off the stage zvlth 
her, and Mrs. Noshuns folloivs. Some of the 
girls carry her zvraps and baskets. A number 
of girls come in carrying zvood for the camp 
fire. They build the fire.) 

Miss Carrick. Come, girls ! Sit around the fire. 
I want to hear how the new songs are going. 

(They quickly get their instruments and. sit about 
the fire. As they sing the lights grow dim until 
the stage is quite dark except for the glozv fro in 
the fire. Betzveen the songs Sadie and the 
other girls come back. Sadie is in middle 
blouse and bloomers.) 

Girls. Oh, here you are, Sadie ! (They make a 
place for her. Song.) 

CURTAIN 



L 



DOROTHY'S NEIGHBORS. 

A brand new comedy in four acts, by Marie Doran, author of "The 
New Co-Ed," "Tempest and Sunshine," and many other successful 
plays. 4 males, 7 females. The scenes are extremely easy to 
arrange; two plain interiors and one exterior, a garden, or, if neces- 
sary, the two interiors will answer. Costumes modern. Plays 2^ 
hours. 

The story is about vocational training, a subject now widely dis- 
cussed; also, the distribution of large wealth. 

Back of the comedy situation and snappy dialogue there is good 
logic and a sound moral in this pretty play, which is worthy the 
attention of the experienced amateur. It is a clean, wholesome play, 
particularly suited to high school production, Frice, 30 Cents. 



MISS SOMEBODY ELSE. 

A modern play in four acts by Marion Short, author of "The 
Touchdown," etc. 6 males, 10 females. Two interior scenes. Cos- 
tumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours. 

This delightful comedy has gripping dramatic moments, unusual 
character types, a striking and original plot and is essentially modern 
in theme and treatment. The story concerns the advetures of Con- 
stance Darcy, a multi-millionaire's young daughter. Constance em- 
barks on a trip to find a young man who had been in her father's 
employ and had stolen a large sum of money. She almost succeeds, 
when suddenly all traces of the young man are lost. At this point 
she meets some old friends who are living in almost want and, in 
order to assist them through motives benevolent, she determines to 
sink her own aristocratic personality in that of a refined but. humble 
little Irish waitress with the family that are in want. She not only 
carries her scheme to success in assisting the family, but finds 
romance and much tense and lively adventure during the period of 
her incognito, aside from capturing the young man who had defrauded 
her father. The story is full of bright comedy lines and dramatic 
situations and is highly recommended for amateur production. This 
is one of the best comedies we have ever offered with a large num- 
ber of female characters. The dialogue is bright and the play is full 
of action from start to finish; not a dull moment in it. This is a 
great comedy for high schools and colleges, and the wholesome story 
will please the parents and teachers. We strongly recommend it. 

Price, 30 Cents. 



PURPLE AND FINE LINEN. 

An exceptionally pretty comedy of Puritan New England, in three 
acts, by Amita B. Fairgrieve and Helena Miller. 9 male, 5 female 
characters. 

This is the Lend A Hand Smith College yrize play. It is an ad- 
mirable play for amateurs, is rich in character portrayal of varied 
types and is not too difficult while thoroughly pleasing. 

Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New aid Explicit Discriptive Catalogue Mailed Free en Request 



BILLETED. 

A comedy in 3 acts, by F. Tennison Jesse and H. Harwood. 4 
males, 5 females. One easy interior seen'-. A charming comedy, 
constructed with uncommon skill, and abounds with clever lines. 
Margaret Anglin's big success. Amateurs will find this comedy easy 
to produce and popular with all audiences. Price, 60 Cents. 

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. 

A comedy in 3 acts. By James JNIontgomcry. 5 males. 6 females. 
Costumes, modern. Two interior scenes. Plays 2'/' hours. 

Is it possible to tell the absolute truth — even for twenty-four hours? 
It is— at least Bob Bennett, the hero of "Nothing But the Truth," 
accomplished the feat. The bet he made with his business partners, 
and the trouble he got into — with his partners, his friends, and his 
fiancee — this is the subject of William Collier's tremendous comedy 
hit. "Nothing But the Truth" can be whole-heartedly recommended 
as one of the most sprightly, amusing and popular comedies that this 
country can boast. Price, 60 Cents. 

IN WALKED JIMMY. 

A comedy in 4 acts, by Minnie Z. Jaffa. 10 males, '? females (al- 
though any number of males and females may be used as clerks, 
etc.). Two interior scenes. Costumes, mr^dern. Plays 2J/2 hours. 
The thing into which Jimmy walked was a broken-down shoe factory, 
when the clerks had all been fired, and when the proprietor was in 
serious contemplation of suicide. 

Jimmy, nothing else but plain Jimmy, would have been a mysterious 
figure had it not been for his matter-of-fact manner, his smile and 
his everlasting humanness. He put the shoe business on its feet, won 
the heart of the girl clerk, saved her erring brother from jail, escaped 
that place as a permanent boarding house himself, and foiled the 
villain. 

Clean, wholesome comedy with just a touch of human nature, just 
a dash of excitement and more than a little bit of true philosophy 
make "In Walked Jimmy" one of the most delightful of plays. 
Jimmy is full of the religion of life, the religion of happiness and 
the religion of helpfulness, and he so permeates the atmosphere with 
his "religion" that everyone is happy. The spirit of optimism, good 
cheer, and hearty laughter dominates the play. There is not a dull 
moment in any of the four acts. We strongly recommend it. 

Price, 60 Cents. 



MARTHA BY-THE-DAY. 

An optimistic .comedy in three acts, by Julie M. Lippmann, author 
of the "Martha" stories. 5 males, 5 females. Three interior scenes. 
Costumes modern. Plays 2l/'t hours. 

It is altogether a gentle thii'.g. this play. It is full of quaint hu- 
mor, old-fashioned, homely sentiment, the kind that people who see 
the play will recall and chuckle over to-morrow and the next day. 

Miss Lippmann has herself adapted her very successful book for 
stage service, and in doing this has selected from her novel the most 
telling incidents, infectious comedy and homely sentiment for the 
play, and the result is thoroughly delightful. Price. 60 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 Wejt 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Descriptive Catjiogue liAailed Free on Request 



The Touch-Down 

A comedy in four acts, by Marion Short. 8 males, 6 females, 
any number of characters can be introduced in the ensembles. Cu 
tumes modern. One interior scene throughout the play. Time, 2yz 
hours. 

This play, written for the use of clever amateurs, is the story of 
life in Siddell, a Pennsylvania co-educational college. It deals with 
the vicissitudes and final triumph of the Siddell Football Eleven, and 
the humorous and dramatic incidents connected therewith. 

"The Touch-Down" has the true varsity atmosphere, college songs 
are sung, and the piece is lively and entertaining throughout. High 
schools will make no mistake in producing this play. We strongly 
recommend it as a high-class and well-written comedy. 

Price, 30 Cents. 

Hurry^ Hurry^ Hurry 

A comedy in three acts, by LeRoy Arnold. 5 males, 4 females. 
One interior scene. Costumes modern. Plays 2%. hours. 

The story is based on the will of an eccentric aunt. It stipulates 
that her pretty niece must be affianced before she is twenty-one, and 
married to her fiance within a year, if she is to get her spinster 
relative's million. Father has nice notions of honor and fails to tell 
daughter abour the will, so that she maj' make her choice untram- 
meled by any other consideration than that of true love. The action 
all takes place in the evening the midnight of which will see her 
reach twenty-one. Time is therefore short, and it is hurry, hurry, 
hurry, if she is to become engaged and thus save her father from 
impending bankruptcy. 

The situations are intrinsically funny and the dialogue is sprightly. 
The characters are natural and unaffected and the action moves with 
a snap such as should be expected from its title. Price, 30 Cents. 

The Varsity Coach 

A three-act play of college life, by Marion Short, specially adapted 
to performance by amateurs or high school students. 5 males 6 
females, but any number of boys and girls may be introduced in the 
action of the play. Two settings necessary, a college boy's room and 
the university campus. Time, about 2 hours. 

Like many another college boy, "Bob" Selby, an all-round popular 
college man, becomes possessed of the idea that athletic prowess is 
more to be desired than scholarship. He is surprised in the midst of 
a "spread" in his room in Regatta week by a visit from his aunt 
who is putting him through college. Aunt Serena, "a lady of the old 
school and the dearest little woman in the whole world," has hastened 
to make this visit to her adored nephew under the mistaken impression 
that he is about to receive the Fellowes prize for scholarship. Her 
grief and chagrin when she learns that instead of the prize Robert 
has received "a pink card," which is equivalent to suspension for poor 
scholarship, gives a touch of pathos to an otherwise jolly comedy of 
college life. How the repentant Robert more than redeems himself, 
carries off honors at the last, and in the end wins Ruth, the faithful 
little sweetheart of the "Prom" and the classroom, makes a story of 
dramatic interest and brings out very clearly certain phases of modern 
college life. There are several opportunities for the introduction of 
college songs and "stunts." Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH. 28-30 West 38th Street, New York City 

New and Explicit Discriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request 



h?.?,"™'^ °^ CONGRESS 




The Return o^ Vl^JUlS 



A comedy in four acts, by Marion Short, author of "The Varsity 
Coach," "The Touch-Down," etc. 6 males, 8 females. Costumes 
modern. One interior scene. 

This comedy is founded upon and elaborated from a farce" comedy 
in two acts written by J. H. Horta, and originally produced at Tuft's 
College. 

Hiram Poynter Jinks, a Junior in Hoosic College ("Willie Collier 
type), and a young moving picture actress (Mary Pickford type), are 
the leading characters in this lively, modern farce. 

Thomas Hodge, a Senior, envious of the popula-ity of Jinks, wishes 
to think up a scheme to throw ridicule upon him during a visit of 
the Hoosic Glee Club to Jinks's home town. Jinks has obligingly acted 
as a one-day substitute in a moving picture play, in which there is a 
fire scene, and this gives Hodge his cue. He sends what seems to 
be a bona fide account of Jink's heroism at a Hoosic fire to Jink's 
home paper. Instead of repudiating his laurels as expected. Jinks 
decides to take a flyer in fame, confirms the fake story, confesses to 
being a hero and is adored by all the girls, to the chagrin and dis- 
comfiture of Hodge. Of course, the truth comes out at last, but 
Jinks is not hurt thereby, and his romance with Mimi Mayflower 
comes to a successful termination. 

This is a great comedy for amateurs. It is full of funny situations 
and is sure to please. Price, 30 Cents. 



J 



une 

A most successful comedy-drama in four acts, by Marie Doran, 
author of "The New Co-Ed," "Tempest and Sunshine," "Dorothy's 
Neighbors," etc. 4 males, 8 females. One interior scene. Costumes 
modern. Plays 2J4 hoars. 

This play has a very interesting group of young people. June is 
an appealing little figure^ an orphan living with her aunt. There are 
a number of delightful, life-like characters: the sorely tried likeable 
Mrs. Hopkins, the amusing, haughty Miss Banks of the glove depart- 
ment, the lively Tilly and Milly, who work in the store, and ambitious 
Snoozer; Mrs. Hopkins's only son, who aspires to be President of the 
United States, but finds his real sphere is running the local trolley 
car. The play is simplicity itself in the telling of an every-day story, 
and the scenic requirements call for only one set, a room in the 
boarding house of Mrs. Hopkins, while an opportunity is afforded to 
introduce any number of extra characters. Musical numbers may be. 
introduced, if desired. Price, 30 Cents. 

Tempest and Sunshine 

A comedy drama in four acts, by Marie Doran. 5 males and 3 
females. One exterior and three interior scenes. Plays about 2 hours, 

Every school girl has revelled in the sweet simplicity and gentle- 
ness of the characters interwoven in the charms that Mary J. Holmes 
commands in her story of "Tempest and Sunshine." We can strongly 
recommend this play as one of the best plays for high school pro- 
duction published in recent years. Price, 30 Cents. 

(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced) 
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 West 38th Street, New Yoik City 

New and Explicit Descriptive. Catalogue Mailed Free an Request 



